The Cleveland Museum of Art's Art of Japan features selections from three thousand years of Japanese art assembled since the museum opened in 1916. Many works in the collection are recognised in Japan as being National Treasures, the highest honour given only to works of near-perfect artistry. This remarkable collection's catalogue depicts a vast array of objects which convey the poetry of natural materials, the earthy humour of some of the most spiritual imagery, the dynamic use of 'empty' space, and, above all, the constant theme of the relationship of nature and humankind that are unique to Japan. The masterpieces that appear in this book provide an unaltered view of old-world Japan. AUTHOR: Laurence Channing is Head of Publications at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Nancy Grossman is Curatorial Assistant in Asian Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Charles L. Venable is Deputy Director for Collections and Programs at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Marjorie Williams is Director of Education and Public Programs at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 103 colour illustrations